As of the spring semester of 2023, international students no longer receive special accommodations. The Center for Global Education has informed faculty and international students of these changes and has encouraged international students to refrain from directly asking professors for accommodations.
Explaining this change
Student Disability Services provides accommodations to assist students with verified disabilities during their academic journey. The Center for Global Education explains that international students are no longer receiving accommodations because having English as a second language is not a form of disability.
International students who have a disability may still receive accommodations. They must, however, go through the Student Disability Services assessment and verification. Kimberly Larsson provided further details. She serves as the executive director of the Center for Global Education and the assistant dean of international student recruitment and admissions.
“The shift is (to) provide equity across all populations of students, in terms of process and access to accommodations, and to clarify that being an international student does not mean that you are entitled to accommodations, such as extra time with testing or use of an electronic dictionary,” said Larsson.
The center does not believe these changes will affect international students. The students who are struggling are asked to reach out to their student success coach for possible assistance, just as non-international students must. In a mass email sent to the international students of NCC, the Center outlined another reason they believe this will not affect international students. They state that the student’s placement in an undergraduate program is proof of their English ability. This placement shows their adequate proficiency and ability to succeed in classes. The center desires all of its international students to understand their resources and to achieve success at NCC.
Reactions from the international student community
Elie Imani is a multicultural peer educator, a resident assistant and the co-president of NCC for Africa. He was able to provide insight into the concerns and experiences of international students. He has lived in the United States for five years and discussed this change with international students.
Imani thought back to what he needed when he came here five years ago. English was not his first language, and there was not a great deal of encouragement to study it. He discusses his concern over the stress this decrease in services causes for international students and the depression it may lead to.
“It’s definitely heartbreaking to me. I think it’s heartbreaking and it makes life even harder,” said Imani, ’25.
Comparing international students to the average American student, Imani explains how international students have additional barriers to success. Classes can seem more difficult, with lectures often being hard to understand. When considering the various cultures of international students, Imani uses African and Asian cultures to emphasize the potential stress. He explains the importance parents in these cultures often place on exceeding educationally. Add in difficulties with English and the lack of help provided last semester, and he is concerned about the potential effects on students.
Student assistance
When asked how the Center directs international students to their student success coaches for assistance, Imani was skeptical of its usefulness. He questions what the advisors will be able to do to help students.
“And I think over time students who do need help, if we get used to it, we will not use the testing center at all. I think it just removes the bubble of students who actually need help that can seek help. I do not take that in a good way,” said Imani.
The Center for Global Success’ mass email notes that student success coaches can assist in determining tutors and schedule adjustments. But Imani has his own perspective on what would best support international students. He believes the best support would be to bring back the electronic dictionary and testing center accessibility. He explains that many international students must translate in their minds from other languages to English. This may require a longer time.
The Center for Global Success states that students’ English should be acceptable due to their status in an undergraduate program. Imani mentions how many who have been in the United States for decades still struggle with English.
